In accordance with
Standing Order 12.58 the Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh
Language answered questions on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for
Education.

Questions 1- 8 and 10
– 11 were asked. Question 9 was withdrawn. The Presiding
Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister
for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language after Question
2.

1. Notes that Wales
benefits from a long coast line and the second highest tidal reach
in the world.

2. Further notes that
economic activity related to the sea is already valued at around
£2.1bn in Wales, supporting tens of thousands of
jobs.

3. Believes that a
strategic commitment to the blue economy will enable Wales to turn
our seas into one of our biggest economic assets.

4. Further believes
that Wales can be a leader in marine renewable energy, tourism and
sport, fishing, food and aquaculture, and marine manufacturing and
engineering.

5. Calls on the Welsh
Government to bring forward an ambitious Marine Plan to support the
sustainable development of the blue economy and to make it a
central plank of its new economic strategy.

Minutes:

The item started at 15.07

NDM6259
Jeremy Miles (Neath)Lee Waters
(Llanelli)Simon Thomas (Mid and West
Wales)Jayne Bryant (Newport
West)Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys
Môn)Angela Burns (Carmarthen West
and South Pembrokeshire)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that Wales
benefits from a long coast line and the second highest tidal reach
in the world.

2. Further notes that
economic activity related to the sea is already valued at around
£2.1bn in Wales, supporting tens of thousands of
jobs.

3. Believes that a
strategic commitment to the blue economy will enable Wales to turn
our seas into one of our biggest economic assets.

4. Further believes
that Wales can be a leader in marine renewable energy, tourism and
sport, fishing, food and aquaculture, and marine manufacturing and
engineering.

5. Calls on the Welsh
Government to bring forward an ambitious Marine Plan to support the
sustainable development of the blue economy and to make it a
central plank of its new economic strategy.

The motion was agreed
in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Presiding
Officer’s Statement

At 15.57, the Llywydd made a statement concerning events unfolding
at Westminster. Appropriate security steps were being taken in the
Assembly and the matter was being kept under review. The Llywydd
said that thoughts were with colleagues and all those involved at
Westminster at this very difficult time.

(60 mins)

5.

Debate on the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee report on the implications for Wales of leaving the European Union

Notes the report of the
External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee on its
Inquiry into the implications for Wales of leaving the European
Union, which was
laid in the Table Office on 27 January 2017

In
accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii), the amendment tabled to
this motion has not been selected.

Minutes:

The item started at 16.04

Presiding
Officer’s Statement

At 16.17, the Llywydd adjourned the day’s proceedings in
accordance with Standing Order 12.18, in light of what was being
treated as a serious terrorist incident in Westminster. Assembly
business would be re-arranged accordingly.

2. Notes the work of
the Welsh Government in developing the Wales Procurement Policy
Statement which has lowered barriers to procurement for small and
medium sized enterprises right across Wales.

3. Recognises the need
to grow capability within the Welsh public sector to maximise the
impact of procurement spend within the Welsh economy.

4. Notes the intention
of the Welsh Government to develop a new programme for procurement
to help enable the Welsh public sector to make intelligent use of
policy and legislation across Wales.

5. Recognises the Welsh
Government's capital investment plans and the significant
procurement opportunities presented by the South Wales and North
East Wales metros; the 21st Century schools programme; the M4
relief road; building 20,000 affordable homes; improvements to
Wales' transport network and other major infrastructure
projects."